Wear assembly

ABSTRACT

A wear assembly for an excavating bucket having a sidewall is provided. The wear assembly includes a first boss, a second boss and a wear member. The first boss extends from an inner lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the first boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the inner lateral surface. The second boss extends from an outer lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the second boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the outer lateral surface. The wear member includes a working portion, a first leg and a second leg. Each of the first leg and the second leg extends from the working portion. Further, each of the first leg and the second leg define a recess configured to slidingly receive one of the first boss and the second boss therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wear assembly and more specifically to a wear assembly for an excavating bucket.

BACKGROUND

Various construction and mining machines utilize buckets for carrying out various operations, such as digging. The buckets may be subjected to wear and abrasion during operation. Typically, a series of shrouds or wear assemblies are provided on areas of the bucket susceptible to wear to act as a sacrificial component and safeguard the bucket against wear. Replacing such shrouds may be more economical as compared to replacing the entire bucket.

The shrouds may be detachably coupled to the bucket by one of various types of attachment systems. During operation, loads acting on the shrouds may be transmitted to the attachment systems. This may place significant stress upon the attachment system, leading to damage and possible failure thereof. Moreover, if the shrouds are detached from the bucket due to damage or failure of the attachment system, the parts of the bucket, on which the shrouds are attached, are directly exposed to wear during operation. Such attachment systems may also have strict tolerance requirements for providing a robust coupling between the shrouds and the bucket, thereby increasing manufacturing complexity and cost.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a wear assembly for an excavating bucket having a sidewall is provided. The wear assembly includes a first boss, a second boss and a wear member. The first boss extends from an inner lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the first boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the inner lateral surface. The second boss extends from an outer lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the second boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the outer lateral surface. The wear member includes a working portion, a first leg and a second leg. Each of the first leg and the second leg extends from the working portion. Further, each of the first leg and the second leg define a recess configured to slidingly receive one of the first boss and the second boss therein.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an excavating bucket showing a wear member slid onto a sidewall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the excavating bucket showing the wear member assembled on the sidewall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sidewall of the bucket taken along section line A-A′ of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sidewall of the bucket taken along section line A-A′ of FIG. 2, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an excavating bucket 100 (hereinafter referred to as “the bucket 100”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bucket 100 may be associated with any machine, such as, but not limited, to an excavator, a backhoe loader, a skid steer loader, a wheel loader, a hydraulic shovel or other construction and mining machines that are known in the art. The bucket 100 may be configured to perform different operations such as digging, loading, dumping, and the like.

The bucket 100 may include a bottom section (not shown), a curved heel section (not shown) and laterally spaced sidewalls 102 (one of the sidewalls 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) extending from opposing ends of the bottom section. The bottom section may include a lip portion and multiple teeth 104 (one of the teeth 104 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that are spaced along the lip portion and are commonly referred to as ground engaging tools (GET). The teeth 104 may be removably attached to the lip portion. The lip portion may also include lip shrouds and adapters onto which the teeth 104 are mounted. The heel section may include heel shrouds configured to protect the bucket 100 from wear and abrasion. The sidewalls 102 are laterally disposed in relation to the bottom section and the heel section. Different elements and structures may be used to form the bucket 100, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, a wear member 124 is slid onto the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100. FIG. 2 illustrates the wear member 124 assembled on the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100 as part of a wear assembly 110. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an upper portion 106 of the sidewall 102 includes an upper shroud 108. The upper shroud 108 may be removably attached to the sidewall 102 and is configured to protect the upper portion 106 of the sidewall 102 from wear and abrasion. Further, the wear assembly 110 is disposed on a lower portion 112 of the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sidewall 102 includes an inner lateral surface 114, an outer lateral surface 116 and a front surface 118 that extends between the inner lateral surface 114 and the outer lateral surface 116.

Further, the wear assembly 110 includes one or more bosses. In the illustrated embodiment, the wear assembly 110 includes a first boss 120 and a second boss 122. The first boss 120 and the second boss 122 are attached to the inner lateral surface 114 and the outer lateral surface 116 of the sidewall 102, respectively. In one embodiment, the first boss 120 and the second boss 122 may be welded to the inner lateral surface 114 and the outer lateral surface 116, respectively. In another embodiment, the first boss 120 and the second boss 122 may be secured to the inner lateral surface 114 and the outer lateral surface 116, respectively, by any other attachment method known in the art, such as, for example, threaded fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first boss 120 and the second boss 122 may be formed as an integral component of the sidewall 102.

Moreover, the first boss 120 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along a direction ‘D1’ normal to the inner lateral surface 114. Similarly, the second boss 122 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along a direction ‘D2’ normal to the outer lateral surface 116 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’ may be substantially parallel to each other as the inner and outer lateral surfaces 114, 116 of the sidewall 102 are also parallel to each other. However, in alternative embodiments, the first and second directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’ may be inclined relative to each other based on the relative orientation of the inner and outer lateral surfaces 114, 116. In an embodiment, the first boss 120 and the second boss 122 may include corners having chamfers or fillets.

The wear assembly 110 further includes the wear member 124. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the wear member 124 is configured as a lower shroud for the sidewall 102 and is configured to protect the lower portion 112 of the sidewall 102 from wear and abrasion. The wear member 124 includes a working portion 126, a first leg 128 and a second leg 130. The first leg 128 and the second leg 130 extend from opposing sides of the working portion 126. In an embodiment, the working portion 126, the first leg 128 and the second leg 130 are integral and may be manufactured as a unitary component, such as through, known casting processes. Alternatively, at least one of the first leg 128 and the second leg 130 may be detachably connected to the working portion 126. The wear member 124 may be slid onto the sidewall 102 along a sliding direction ‘S’ (as shown in FIG. 1) that is substantially perpendicular to the directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’.

The wear member 124 is configured to at least partially enclose the first boss 120 and the second boss 122. The working portion 126 may rest on the front surface 118 of the sidewall 102. Accordingly, a profile of the working portion 126 may conform to a profile of the front surface 118 of the sidewall 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the working portion 126 has a substantially planar configuration corresponding to a planar configuration of the front surface 118.

The first leg 128 defines a first recess 132 therein. Further, the second leg 130 defines a second recess 134 therein. The first recess 132 of the first leg 128 is configured to slidingly receive the first boss 120 therein. Similarly, the second recess 134 of the second leg 130 is configured to slidingly receive the second boss 122 therein. The first and second recesses 132, 134 may have shapes complementary to the first and second bosses 120, 122, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first recess 132 and the second recess 134 may have substantially C-shaped cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the rectangular shape of the first boss 120 and the second boss 122, respectively. However, in an alternative embodiment, which will be explained later with reference to FIG. 4, the first and second recesses 132, 134 may have cross-sectional profile shapes which are not complementary to the first and second bosses 120, 122, respectively.

The wear assembly 110 further includes a lock assembly 136. The first leg 128 may define an aperture (not shown) to at least partly receive the lock assembly 136 therein. In other embodiments, the second leg 130 may include an aperture for receiving a corresponding lock assembly. The lock assembly 136 is configured to co-operate with the wear member 124 to releasably secure the wear member 124 to the sidewall 102. The lock assembly 136 may include a cam member (not shown) configured to rotate relative to the wear member 124 and the first leg 128 between a locked position and an unlocked position. Upon rotation of the cam member from the unlocked position, cam member may engage with a corresponding slot of the wear member 124 in order to lock the wear member 124 with respect to the sidewall 102. In an embodiment, the slot may be provided on the first boss 120. Alternatively, the wear member 124 may be secured to the sidewall 102 by other retention systems known in the art, such as, but not limited to, screw driven wedges, removable pins, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sidewall 102 includes a shear block 138 on the outer lateral surface 116. The shear block 138 is mounted on the sidewall 102 such that the shear block 138 is adjacent to the second leg 130 in a coupled state of the wear member 124. A similar shear block (not shown) may also be provided on the inner lateral surface 114. In an embodiment, the shear block 138 may be welded to the sidewall 102. Alternatively, the shear block 138 may be formed as an integral part of the sidewall 102. The shear block 138 may be configured to restrict a movement of the second leg 130 relative to the sidewall 102 when the wear member 124 is slid onto the second boss 122. Further, the shear block 138 may absorb at least part of the loads from the wear assembly 110 in a plane substantially parallel to the outer lateral surface 116 of sidewall 102, thereby decreasing load experienced by the wear assembly 110.

It may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art, that various details of the wear assembly 110, as described above with reference to one sidewall of the bucket 100, may also be applicable to the other sidewall of the bucket 100. Further, the wear assembly 110, as described above, is exemplary in nature and alternative configurations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, one boss may be attached to the sidewall 102 to either one of the inner lateral surface 114 or the outer lateral surface 116. Further, the upper shroud 108 may be provided with a similar configuration as the wear assembly 110.

Although the wear assembly 110 is explained in conjunction with the sidewalls 102 of the bucket 100, it may be contemplated that the wear assembly 110, with necessary modifications, may be attached to various other portions of the bucket 100 susceptible to wear, such as, but not limited to, the heel portion, the lip portion, and the like. The wear assembly 110 may also be coupled to various components associated with an auger, a ripper, and the like.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the concepts of the present invention described herein may be modified or adapted for use in other wear member applications. For example, a rectangular boss such as that disclosed herein may be secured on a bucket lip for attachment of a lip shroud to the bucket lip between teeth and/or adapters.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, a wear assembly 300 disposed on the lower portion 112 of the sidewall 102 includes a wear member 302. A first leg 304 and a second leg 306 of the wear member 302 define a first recess 308 and a second recess 310, each of which have a dovetail configuration. The first and second bosses 120, 122 have a rectangular shape similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Each of the dovetail shaped recesses 308, 310 may have dimensions that allow the first and second bosses 120 and 122 to be received therein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Various construction and mining machines use buckets for carrying out various operations, such as digging. Typically, a series of shrouds or wear assemblies are provided on areas of the bucket susceptible to wear to act as a sacrificial component and safeguard the bucket against wear. The shrouds are detachably coupled to the bucket by various attachment systems. During operation, loads acting on the shrouds may be transmitted to the attachment systems. This may place significant stress upon the attachment system, leading to damage and possible failure thereof. Such attachment systems may also have high tolerance requirements, thereby increasing manufacturing complexity and cost.

The present disclosure provides the wear assembly 110 for the bucket 100. The wear assembly 110 includes the first and second bosses 120, 122 on the inner and outer lateral surfaces 114, 116, respectively, of the sidewall 102 of the bucket 100. The first and second bosses 120, 122 have a rectangular shape along the directions ‘D1’, ‘D2’ normal to the inner and outer lateral surfaces 114, 116, respectively. The wear member 124 is slid onto the sidewall 102 along the sliding direction ‘S’ substantially perpendicular to the directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’. The wear member 124 includes first and second legs 128, 130 extending from the working portion 126. Further, the first and second legs 128, 130 define the first and second recesses 132, 134 configured to slidingly receive the first and second bosses 120, 122, respectively. The lock assembly 136 is configured to retain the wear member 124 onto the sidewall 102.

During operation of the bucket 100, the wear member 124 may be subjected to various loads, such as horizontal loads acting substantially parallel to the sliding direction ‘S’ and vertical loads acting substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction ‘S’, and in the plane of the sidewall 102. At least part of the horizontal and vertical loads may be transmitted to various components of the sidewall 102, for example, the shear block 138 provided adjacent to the wear member 124 in the locked position. The wear member 124 may also be subjected to side loads substantially parallel to the directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’.

The rectangular shape of the first and second bosses 120, 122 may facilitate a constrained movement of the first and second legs 128, 130 relative to the first and second bosses 120, 122 along the directions ‘D1’ and ‘D2’. Thus, at least part of the side loads may be transmitted to the inner and outer lateral surfaces 114, 116 of the sidewall 102 and not directly to the first and second bosses 120, 122. This may prevent damage and/or failure of the attachment between the first and second bosses 120, 122, and the sidewall 102. Specifically, in case the first and second bosses 120, 122 are attached to the sidewall 102 by welds, the rectangular shape of the first and second bosses 120, 122 may prevent the side loads from causing any damage to the welds during operation of the bucket 100. Further, any damage to the first and second bosses 120, 122 may also be reduced.

Additionally, the first and second boss 120, 122 having the rectangular shapes and the associated wear member 124 may have reduced tolerance requirements as opposed to more complex shapes, such as dovetails. Accordingly, manufacturing cost and complexity may be reduced. Moreover, existing wear member, for example, the wear member 302 having a dovetail configuration may also be used with the rectangular bosses 120, 122. The wear assembly 110 may also be easily customized to be used with other portions of the bucket 100, for example, the lip portion, the heel portion, and the like. Further, the wear assembly 110 may also be modified for use with other types of implements, such as rippers.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wear assembly for an excavating bucket having a sidewall, the wear assembly comprising: a first boss extending from an inner lateral surface of the sidewall, the first boss having a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the inner lateral surface; a second boss extending from an outer lateral surface of the sidewall, the second boss having a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the outer lateral surface; and a wear member comprising a working portion, a first leg and a second leg, each of the first leg and the second leg extending from the working portion, wherein each of the first leg and the second leg of the wear member define a recess configured to slidingly receive one of the first boss and the second boss therein. 